A little bit of encouragement

A little bit of encouragement is sometimes all someone needs to make it through the last hurdle.

In Chinese, the specific phrase one uses to encourage another is “加油”, and when translated directly, it means “add oil!”. How lovingly appropriate! “Oil” as an indispensable kind of fuel is sometimes all we need to pull through difficult situations, especially when feeling like we’re running on an empty tank, either physically or emotionally. Or both. A little poking or prodding in the right direction doesn’t hurt either – I know some people perform better with a little pressure nagging them, or a threat from a loved one. So whether you prefer a gentle nudge or the whip of a slave driver, 加油! Don’t give up! As the emperor in Disney’s Mulan says, “A single grain of rice can tip the scale!”